Manipur likely to get chopper service soon

IMPHAL, October 26 (NNN): Under the UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, Manipur is likely to have a commercial helicopter service soon between the capital and Jiribam, near the Manipur-Assam border. Taking into account the inaccessibility due to hilly terrain and topography of the region, DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh during his Manipur visit on October 24 had said the ministry was working towards that end.   Singh also informed the media "the ministry has had discussions with the Manipur government to introduce 'mobile dispensary' to facilitate availability of medical facilities in remote areas which are most vulnerable in this area." Introduction of the proposed mobile dispensary would enable medical staff to carry out OPDs in these remote villages.   The DoNER Minister Dr Jitendra Singh during the Manipur visit had assured to find out the feasibility on introduction of helicopter service in the state.   Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju is likely to visit Manipur on November 3 to have discussion with the state government to introduce helicopter service to help improve regional connectivity, a media report said. The state government is likely to put up the feasibility of the commercial copter service proposal with the Civil Aviation Minister during the visit, the report added.   The Manipur government is expected to ink a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Civil Aviation Minister under UDAN scheme during the visit. The Centre recently launched the regional connectivity scheme UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) which seeks to get more people to fly in smaller towns of the country.